Animal ethics

All Massey University staff and students are required to obtain permission from the Massey University Animal Ethics Committee (MUAEC) to undertake manipulations on animals for research or teaching purposes. The terms, 'animal' and 'manipulation', are defined in the Animal Welfare Act (1999) in sections 2 and 3 respectively. The Act can be accessed at:

Researchers and teachers are required to minimise the ethical cost of animal use by considering the three Rs:

The number of animals used should be reduced to the minimum required

Manipulations should be refined to minimise their noxiousness

Animals should be replaced with alternative procedures wherever possible

Please download the Code of Ethical Conduct for the Use of Live Animals for Research, Testing and Teaching for more information. All staff and students intending to use animals must read the Code of Ethical Conduct before submitting an application.